Method for laminating a pre-press proof to simulate printing on thin plastic

Abstract

A method for laminating a proof to simulate printing on thin plastic materials consisting of the steps of: creating a first support layer ( 150 ); creating an imaged receiver sheet ( 140 ) comprising an image ( 210 ), a first thermal print layer ( 220 ), and the first support layer ( 150 ); forming a second support layer ( 170 ) comprising a support base, a aluminized layer ( 200 ) and a release layer; creating an imageless receiver sheet ( 280 ) comprising a second thermal print layer ( 225 ), and the second support layer ( 170 ); laminating the imageless receiver sheet ( 280 ) to the imaged receiver sheet ( 140 ) thereby encapsulating the image ( 210 ) between the first thermal print layer ( 220 ) and second thermal print layer ( 225 ); removing the first support layer ( 150 ); removing the second support layer ( 170 ); forming an encapsulated image ( 250 ) simulating a proof.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A method for laminating a proof to simulate printing on thin plastic materials consisting of the steps of: 
       a) creating an imaged receiver sheet comprising: an image with high resolution between about 1400 and about 4000 dpi, a first thermal print layer with thickness ranging from 1 micron to 75 microns, and a first support layer;  
       b) forming a second support layer with thickness ranging from 1 micron to 75 microns comprising a second support base, a second aluminized layer, and a second release layer;  
       c) creating an imageless plastic receiver sheet comprising a plastic sheet and said second support layer;  
       d) laminating the imageless plastic receiver sheet with said imaged receiver sheet thereby encapsulating said image between the thermal print layer and the plastic sheet;  
       e) removing said first support layer;  
       f) removing said second support layer;  
       g) forming an encapsulated image simulating a proof; and  
       wherein said first thermal print layer and said second thermal print layer has a thickness different from the thickness of the plastic sheet.  
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein said plastic receiver sheet is clear. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said first thermal print layer and said second thermal print layers have a thickness ranging from 1 to 25 microns. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein said imaged receiver sheet has a resolution of between about 1800 and 3000 dpi. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the plastic sheet is a member of the group comprising: polyester, polyethylene. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said first thermal print layer and said second thermal print layer comprises a polyvinyl butryl. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein said thermal print layer is a polyacrylate. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein said laminating step is performed at about 120° C. using dye based images. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein said laminating step uses cold lamination and pigment based images. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1  wherein said laminating step uses pressures up to 80 psi. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  wherein said images are produced by ink jet printing. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein said first support layer comprises a first support base and a first release layer. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein said first support layer is comprised of a first support base, a first release layer and a first aluminized layer.